Drinking Too Much

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We have all heard the stories about celebrities who get a little out of hand when they drink too much. The stories appear many times right before the said celebrity ends up going in for addiction rehab. However, in your own life, you may deny the subtler signs that you have a drinking problem.

No one wants to admit that they have an issue with drinking. Sometimes it takes some external information or a friend to get you to overcome the resistance that you have to make this admission. Here are seven signs that you may have a drinking problem. Take them to heart.

1. You can’t stick to the limits that you set for yourself.

If you find that you set limits to how much you will drink and then regularly violate them, then this can indicate that you have a drinking problem. Experts say that many times this is an early sign that you are developing a drinking problem.

So, what can you do about this problem? You need to figure out what triggers your need to drink. Once you have determined the cause, then you should try with all your power to avoid it. It may be certain people, places, and situations that trigger your need to drink.

If you find that you simply can’t avoid the triggers that cause you to drink, then you need to come up with strategies to deal with them. A couple of possibilities are that you should keep a list nearby of reasons that you shouldn’t drink and also a list of confidantes who you can call in an emergency.

2. Your friends are talking about your drinking.

An early warning sign that your drinking is getting out of control is if your friends comment about how much you are drinking. While your senses might be dulled by the alcohol, your friends are still sharp.

When your friends or acquaintances start to make these comments, you should adjust your regular drinking pattern to fall within a more normal range. You can use their responses as a litmus test that you are drinking too much.

3. Your plans usually involve drinking. 

You can tell that you are developing a drinking problem when alcohol becomes the centerpiece of your activities. If you are concerned that at every social gathering there will be drink, then you know that alcohol is starting to govern your life.

The way to combat this problem is to take notice that alcohol is becoming so central to your existence and to start to make plans that don’t involve it. You could make plans to get together over coffee or simply get together to talk. Recreational sports are good as well. They almost never directly involve drinking. For instance, you can meet at the park to go jogging. (See also: 10 Things to Expect When You Stop Drinking Alcohol)

4. You use alcohol to relieve your stress.

Everyone experiences a lot of stress in their life. Stress is part of the human condition. However, turning to alcohol merely compounds the problem. You will end up with your problems still existing plus the alcohol issue itself.

You may want to seek professional help to work on your problems. A good therapist can help you work through your issues. Also, you may find that taking walks or practicing breathing exercises can relieve the stress that you are feeling.

5. You are concerned about your drinking patterns.

Sometimes, you might get a little voice in the back of your head that you are drinking too much. You can sometimes be the best gauge of your own problems. You should recognize that this voice may be very subtle. Your conscious mind may not want to admit that there is a real problem, but your innermost self is knocking at the door.

6. Your doctor has that little talk with you. 

Doctors are very intelligent people who have a certain sense that you may be drinking too much. When you are at the doctor, be sure to answer their questions directly and honestly. Their questions are designed to reveal any kind of behavioral problems that you may have. Your doctor also keeps things confidential, and you may confide in them about your issues.

7. You are finding that you are waking up frequently with hangovers. 

This is a more obvious sign. Sometimes, it takes a little pain and suffering to wake you up to the fact that you have a problem.

These signs that have been mentioned are only the tip of the iceberg with regard to warning signs that you might be drinking too much. If you notice any of these signs, then you will want to take a good deep look at your behavior to determine if it is time to seek help for an alcohol abuse problem. Fortunately, there are many resources available to you if you need to seek treatment for alcohol addiction.

About The Author:

Ruben Lopez is a freelance writer from Atlanta, Georgia with a passion for addiction treatment. He is committed to helping those who are in recovery.

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